Turtles Are Dying So You Can Buy Jewelry

A tiny sea creature is sealed in a plastic bag with muggy glitter water and used an accessory until it dies, basically. The theory is that you free the animal after a couple days, but rarely anyone does.

But what you might not know is that it's not just the keychains that are killing animals (specifically turtles.) It's also your souvenir bracelet from the Caribbean.

Tortoiseshell patterned items are in high-demand right now, but in America it's the replication of the pattern onto a piece of plastic.

In Central America and the Caribbean? It's real hawksbill sea turtle, and it's causing the real extinction of the species.

Hawksbill turtles are one of the most beautiful creatures in the sea, but their population is declining at an alarming rate. They help to keep coral reefs thriving and growing, and now all of that is at risk because people like the way they look.

If you are on a tropical vacation, you've probably seen these souvenirs at every vendor. They may look like plastic, but the shell is very real.